Electric switch mechanism



D. 31, 1929. J WEBER 1,742,109

ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Dec. 22, 1927 FC@ e e Inventor` z LouisJ. Weber,

H1s,Attor-rnc-25j l Patented Dec. 31, 19.29,

I UNITED STATES' LOUIS J. WEBER, OF

V'PA-llafN'r orifice' scnENEcTADY, New Yoan, Assienon To GENERALELECTRIC u', COMPANY, A CORPORATION or NEW from:

ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISM 4 -application led December 22, 1927.- SerialNo. 241,950.

The present invention relates to electric switches and more particularlyto' electro-l magnetically operated multiple pole switches adaptedforcontrolling electric motors.

5 .The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved formof electromagneticall operated 4switch mechanism of the i abovecaracter;

Among the advantageous features of the v improved switch mechanism arethe arrange- 20 base in an enclosing casing. Other features will beapparent from the following description of the accompanying drawingwhich illustrates a preferred form of switch mechanism embodying theinvention. l

Fig. 1 is a front View of the preferred form of switch mechanism andthemounting panel therefor. y 1 n Fig. 2'is a side view of the switchmechanism of Fig. 1, partly insection.

^ shaft carrying the movable switch members and the plunger of theoperating electromagnet. u

' Fig. 4; is a perspective view of the switch mechanism mounted in itsenclosing casing with the 'cover removed and with certain portions ofthe switch mechanism omitted,`and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional -view of a portion of the enclosingcasing and the mounting panel for the switch mechanism showing moreclearly the manner in which the panel is mounted in the casing. v

' rIhe improved switch mechanism as shown in Fig. 1 comprises the base10 upon which the stationary contact-s 11 andthe operatin electromagnet.12are mounted. The switc shaft 13 carrying a plurality of movableswitch contacts 14 which-cooperate with the stationary contact 11 is'rotatably mounted 5 upon thebase 10 between the vstationary con- Fig. 3is a perspective view of the operating l tact 11 and the operatingelectromagnet 12. In the preferred construction shown the base 10 isformed of molded insulating material molded thereon for rotatablysupporting the switch shaft 13. Likewise, the switch shaft 13 preferablyis formed of molded insulating material with the spaced apart bearingsurfaces 16 molded therein in proper y spaced relation to be received bythe bearing caps 15. The removable bearing caps 17, also preferablyformed of molded insulating material, serve to hold the switch shaft 13secure- ,ly in position in the bearings when secured thereto by thescrews 18. In order to maintain the bearing caps 17 in alignment withthe open cylindrical bearings 15,'the notches 19 are'prov'ided on oneside of the bearing for Y recelving the projecting tongues 2,0 formed onthe bearing caps 17.

The square portions of the shaft'13 on either side of the bearingsurfaces 16 eifec- Y tively serve to prevent axial displacement of y theshaft in the bearings.' Also the square portions of the shaft 13 providea mounting surface for theseveral supporting arms whichcarry the'movable switch -contacts 14. The latter are yieldingly mounted on the.arms 25 by means of the springs 26.

VThe molded switch shaft 13 also is provided-with the lever arms 27which preferably are spaced apart to permit the mountin of the middlecontact supporting arm 25 an the U-shaped yoke 28 therebetween. As moreclearly shown in Fig. 2, the operating electromagnet 12 is Amounted uponthe base 10 at a greater distance therefrom than the switch shaft 13.Furthermore, the operating plunger 29 of the electromagnet is arrange insubstantial alignment with the end of the lever arms 27 extending fromthe switch shaft 13. The U-shaped yoke 28 which is pivotally connectedto both the lever arm 27 and the plunger 29, as indicated in thedrawing, serves to straddle the magnetic frame 30 of the electromagnetand thereby operatively connect the plunger 29 with the switch shaft12?. 011e of the principal advantages of construction is lt e fact thatthe maximum unbalanced weight. pwvided bythe plunger 29 and the .and`has the spaced apart bearing lugs 15 yoke 28 is available for effectinga quick oper# ation of the switch shaft 13 to carry the movable switchmembers 14 to the circuit openingI 1 position. In addition, by simplyunscrewing the screws 18 and removing the bearin caps 1 7 the switchshaft 13,1together wit the movable contacts 14, the plunger 29 of theelectromagnet, and the interconnecting mechanism therebetween, may beentirely removed as a unit for inspection and repair.

This is particularly advantageous where' the switch mechanism is mountedin a small enclosing casing as indicated in Fig. 4, as it permits theswitch arts to be easily removed.

The switch mec anism as previously described'is particularly adapted formounting in an enclosing casing in accordance with the requirements formotor control service. The campact arrangement obtained by the operatingelectromagnet 12 below the switch shaft 13 and on the opposite side ofthe switch shaft I from thelstationary contacts 11 and between thethermal overload protective devices 21 permits the use of anenclosingcasing of minimum size. This is particularly advantageous where theswitch mechanism, together with the enclosing casing is to be mountedonv the machine tool and employedto control the operating motor thereof.In such service space requirements are at a premium. The manner in whichthe base 10 with the switch mechanism mounted thereon is mounted in theenclosing casing 31 is illustrated in Fig. 5. A plurality of spacingbosses 33 areset into the back of the enclosing casing 31 so as to mountthe base 10 a slight distance away from the back of the casing.- Thisprovides the space required for the wire connections behind the base 10,and between live parts on back of base'and ground. In order to facili'tate the mounting oit' the base 10 upon the spacing lugs 33, the base isprovided with cooperating pockets 34 molded therein for receiving theprojecting ends of the lugs 33. .In this way the base is readily mountedupon the supporting lugs 33 with the liolesin the base taining theexternal wiring connections for the switch. v

The opei'ation of the switch mechanism will be evident from theforegoing description. When the operating electromagnet 12 isdeenergized, the plunger 29 is inthe unattracted position as shown inFig. 4. Hence the switchshat 13 is rotated to earr the movable switchcontacts 14 tothe circuit members 14 into en agementV with thestationary contacts 11. ue to the yielding supprtof the movable switchmembers. 14 provided by the springs 26, a firm enga ement of theindividual switches is insure The electrical connections of the switchmechas nism are not shown.l It will lbe understood,

however, that the incoming .three phase linesv are connected to the lineterminals L1, L2, L,

`while the three hase motor or other electrical translating evice isconnected to the terminals M1, M2, M9. The auxiliary switch 14 is.arranged to be connectedy to establish a holding circuit around thestarting push button for the operating electromagnet 12, the holdingcircuit extending through the contact 23 of the thermal overloadprotective device, and a stop push button 1n accordance with the usualpractice.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is:

1. In an electromagnetically operated switch, the combination of aswitch operating shaft having a plurality of switch contacts mountedthereonand having an o erating lever arm extending therefrom, a asehaving bearings for rotatably supportingsaid switch shaft in parallelspaced alignment therewith, stationary contacts mounted on said base atone side of said operating shaft in cooperating relation with thecontacts on the switch shaft, an operating plunger electromagnet mountedon said base on the other side of said operating shaft with theoperating plunger of the electromagnet in substantial alignment with theend of said operating lever arm and with the magnetic vframe of theelectromagnet located between the plunger and the arm, and a yokestrad'dling said :tramo and extending between said plungerA and saidiever arm.

2. In an electromagnetically operated switch, the combination of a basehaving a plurality of stationary contacts and an operating plungerelectromagnet mounted thereon with the magnetic frame oftheelectromagnet located between the plunger and the contacts, a shaftrotatably mounted on the base between said stationary contacts and themagnetic frame or said electromagnet and having a plurality oi movableswitch contacts'V in cooperating relation with said stationary contactsand provided with an 'operating lever arm, and a U-shaped connectionbetween the said lever arm and the operating plunger of the.electromagnet straddling said frame for effecting operation of themovable switch members into and out the mechanical connection betweenthe shaft bearings molded thereon, a switch shaft ofof engagement with.the stationary contacts upon operation-of the plunger.

3. A multiple pole electromagnetically operated switch having arotatable switch shaft carrying a plurality of movable switch membersand mechanically connected with the plunger of an operatingelectromagnet, and a supporting base provided with bearings for1rotatably supporting said'switch shaft and having removable bearingcaps to permit removal of the shaft, the movable switch members, theplunger of the electromagnet, and

and the plunger as a unit.

4. A multiple pole electromagnetically operated switch having aplurality of movable switch members mounted upon a common Operatingshaft With the shaft mechanically connected to the plunger of theoperating electromagnet to be operated thereby, and means for removablymountingsaid shaft to permit removal of the shaft, the movable switchcontacts, the plunger of the electromagnet and the mechanicalconnections therebetween as a unit.

5. A multiple pole electromagnetically opi erated switch comprising abase having a plurality of stationary switch contacts mounted thereupon,a switch shaft rotatably mountedy on-said base atone side of saidstationary contacts and carrying a plurality of movable switch contactsin cooperating relation with the stationary contacts, an operatingelectromagnet mounted on the base on the other side of said shaft withthe plunger of the electromagnet operable away from the shaft, and meansoperatively connecting the switch shaft and the plunger including a yokespanning the electromagnet.

6. In an electromagnetically operated switch the combinationof a base ofmolded insulating material having spaced apart open molded insulatingmaterial with spaced apart bearing surfaces adapted to be rotatably supported in said open bearings and having a lever arm extending. from thebase, removable bearing caps for closing said bearings, an operatingplunger electromagnet mounted on the base with vthe magnetic frame ofthe electromagnet located between the plunger and said shaft and withthe operating plunger pivotally supported upon and in substantialalignment with the end of said lever arm to provide. an -out of balanceweight for operating the switch shaft upon deenergization of theelectromagnet.

7. In an electromagnetically operated switch, the combination of arotatably mount-l ed switch member, an operating plunger electromagnettherefor mounted with the frame of the electromagnet between the plungerand the switch membergand means operatively connectingthe plunger andthe switch shaft including a yoke shaped connection be-

